News

Oakland: Siblings sentenced to 10 months in prison for making fake IDs

By Katie Nelson Contra Costa Times

Posted:
05/14/2013 03:31:30 PM PDT

Updated:
05/14/2013 03:31:31 PM PDT

OAKLAND -- A brother-and sister duo have been sentenced to 10 months in prison for conspiracy to create and sell false identification documents in Contra Costa and Marin counties, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced in a news release Tuesday.

Ana and Ricardo Mendoza-Roman, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to creating IDs that appeared to be issued by the Department of Homeland Security. They also admitted to selling fake Social Security cards, Haag said.

A Homeland Security Investigation Task Force, along with the Richmond Police Department, had been investigating an organization that manufactured and sold counterfeit IDs in Richmond, Pittsburg, Concord and San Rafael.

In August 2012, the task force served warrants and searched the siblings' home and their two vehicles. Agents found a document mill that had manufacturing equipment including a laminator, printer, computer, seals, card stock and thousands of business cards offering the sibling's services.

A handgun and multiple high-capacity magazines were also taken from the house.

The pair's sentence includes three years of supervision upon their release. Haag said they were citizens of Mexico and were in the United States unlawfully, but it was not clear if they would be deported upon their release from prison.